Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Life expectancy depends on different factors, such as the severity of the disease and response to treatment. Most people with lupus can expect to live a typical life span.
While lupus can be an ongoing source of discomfort, its outlook is generally positive. With appropriate treatment, lupus organizations estimate that many people with lupus will have a typical life expectancy.
The effects of lupus depend on the severity of the disease. Some people who have severe flare-ups could be at greater risk of their lupus being life threatening.
This article explains whether lupus can cause death, how it affects different areas of the body, and how to manage lupus and ensure a longer life expectancy.
The life expectancy of lupus is hard to calculate as people
People with extreme flare-ups are more likely to have other life threatening difficulties, such as internal organ and tissue damage. Lupus outlook depends on factors such as the severity of the disease and the immune response to treatment.
Some treatments may make it harder for the body to fight severe infections or increase the risk of other health conditions, such as cancer.
A
However, treatment progression is
Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, tissue, and organs, causing inflammation.
Experts are unsure what causes lupus but think causes
Some people
Symptoms may include:
Lupus
Brain
According to a
However, they claim that cognitive dysfunction many healthcare professionals do not detect cognitive dysfunction when analyzing people with lupus.
Cognitive symptoms include forgetfulness and lack of concentration, which some people may call brain fog.
Eyes
Eye problems affect up to
- changes in the skin surrounding the eyes
- dry, “gritty” eyes, affecting 1 in 5 people with lupus
- inflammation of the white protective layer of the eye
- changes to blood vessels in the retina
- damage to nerves that control eye movement and vision
- Sjögren’s syndrome, a condition in which a person cannot produce enough tears
- cataracts
- impaired vision
- vision loss
Eye problems may occur as a side effect of lupus medications in some cases.
Mouth
Mouth sores, also known as oral lesions or ulcers, are among the
Certain lupus medications, such as corticosteroids, can cause oral side effects, including oral thrush and a decrease in bone density of the jaw bone.
Skin
Many people with lupus develop skin problems, including rashes. Different types of lupus can cause different skin manifestations. Some possible skin symptoms include:
- a butterfly-shaped rash appears across the cheeks and nose
- round sores on the scalp and face
- ring-shaped lesions in areas that the sun touches
- hard lumps under the skin due to calcium buildups
Blood
People with lupus may experience the following:
Heart
Heart disease is a potential complication of lupus and a leading cause of death among people with the condition.
According to a
Lungs
People with lupus may experience the following lung problems:
- pleuritis, or swelling of the membrane surrounding the lungs
- pneumonitis, an inflammation of lung tissue
- chronic diffuse interstitial lung disease, in which scar tissue prevents oxygen from traveling to the blood from the lungs
- pulmonary embolism, where a blood clot blocks the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs.
Kidneys
Lupus that affects the kidneys is called lupus nephritis. People with lupus nephritis might experience the following:
The survival rates of people with lupus nephritis
Gastrointestinal system
The gastrointestinal system stretches from the mouth to the anus. It includes the organs that digest food and drink and dispose of waste.
According to a 2022 article,
Bones and muscles
Most people with lupus experience joint and muscle pain at some stage of the condition.
Other muscles and bone issues arise from lupus, including:
Pregnancy
People with lupus have a higher risk of pregnancy complications, such as:
Many pregnant people with lupus give birth to full-term babies without any difficulties. People with lupus should speak with their doctor before becoming pregnant to ensure the best possible outcome for them and their child.
Living with lupus can be challenging. Some medications that treat the condition can cause other problems. To enjoy a good quality of life with lupus, people should work with a doctor.
While medication is an important part of managing lupus, people with lupus can take other steps to improve their quality of life and life expectancy, including:
- Regular exercise: This may help to reduce muscular stiffness, prevent osteoporosis, relieve stress, and protect the heart.
- Quit smoking: This can help prevent infections and heart attacks and decreases the risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, and coronary artery disease
- Resting: Regular rest can improve fatigue. People should aim to
get enough good quality sleep each night. - Avoid direct sun and fluorescent light exposure: This helps protect against UV light sensitivity. People should also use a high-quality sun cream.
- Wash the hands regularly: This can help prevent infection in people who are at risk due to certain medications.
- Manage pain: Managing pain
may improve quality of life. This may involve prescribed pain relief or over-the-counter products. - Manage mental health: Seeking advice from a mental health expert can help with the mental toll of their condition.
Here are some frequently asked questions about lupus.
How long does a person with lupus live?
According to Lupus UK, most people with lupus can expect to live a normal lifespan. Early diagnosis and steps such as screening for heart disease
Does lupus get worse over time?
Lupus is a
Lupus can be challenging to live with. Symptoms and symptom severity can differ from person to person, but many people can successfully manage the condition and its symptoms.
Most people with lupus can expect to live a long and full life. Factors such as an early diagnosis, following a treatment plan, and attending screenings for health complications may improve prognosis for people with lupus.
If a person has symptoms of lupus, they should speak with a doctor for a prompt diagnosis. Similarly, people experiencing a lupus flare-up should contact a doctor to see if their treatment plan needs adjusting.
link
